Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university with main field of study in the humanities or social sciences. The transcript should include at least 60 credits in philosophy, including at least one course assessed by a written assignment of 2000 words or more in which you engage with philosophical questions.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Aims

The aim of the programme is to provide students with the possibility to pursue studies in philosophy at second cycle level (advanced level) in order to further develop their knowledge and understanding, competence and skills, and judgement and approach, in such a way that, after earning a degree, they are well prepared for complex work in qualified occupations and for further studies at third cycle level (PhD studies).

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student must:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in philosophy, including both broad knowledge of philosophy and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of philosophy as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate broad and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge of philosophical methods, concepts and theories.

Competence and Skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student must:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information. In this regard the student shall be able to explain and critically assess, broadly and in depth, philosophical theories and concepts, and be able to autonomously and critically present and assess arguments and conclusions from philosophical research.
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work. In this regard the student shall, in their degree project (master's thesis), autonomously and creatively have defined, delimited and completed a research task in philosophy in the form of a scientific article.
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and Approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student must:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in philosophy informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Layout of the programme

The Master's Programme is a two-year programme leading to a Master's Degree, 120 credits. The programme offers the possibility of graduating after one year with a Master's Degree, 60 credits. The programme also offers the possibility of complementing a prior Masters Degree, 60 credits, with 60 further credits to obtain a Master's Degree, 120 credits.

The programme consists of mandatory courses (22.5 credits), elective courses (52.5 credits), and a master's thesis (degree project) of 45 credits. In the second year of the programme students may exchange elective courses for an internship or take part in international exchange programmes offered by the university or the department.

Students who intend to graduate with a Master's Degree, 60 credits, take mandatory courses (15 credits), elective courses (15 credits), and write a master's thesis (degree project) of 30 credits.

Degree

The programme leads to a Master's Degree, 120 credits, with Practical Philosophy or Theoretical Philosophy as main field of study. Students may graduate from the programme after one year with a Master's Degree, 60 credits, with Practical Philosophy or Theoretical Philosophy as main field of study.